Bye, Bye Standard Formats
By Lisa Cross -- Graphic Arts Online, 8/1/2008
Offset press formats are no longer as simple as 2-up, 4-up, 6-up, 8-up—as plus sizes versions add extra inches. Pressmakers are indeed taking a new track to differentiate sheetfeds by varying cylinder circumferences. At this spring's drupa, several machines, mainly perfectors, were unveiled or showcased in new sizes. Expanding cylinder sizes in perfectors offers the grippers some extra space beyond the image area to grip the sheet.
KBA extended the circumference of its 64´´ perfector to 46´´ with the Rapida 162a. The move makes it possible to use the full sheet size of 47.25×63.75´´ when perfecting.
manroland's Plus Format adds 6 cm to the circumference of the press cylinder, enlarging a B format press from 53×74 cm to 59×74 cm.
Komori's Lithrone SX629 CF+C+E features a 24×29´´ sheet, with maximum image area 12.5% larger than LS29 models.
